UNESCO Biosphere island Gran Canaria is a paradise for rural tourism and (water) sports, attracting some three million tourists each year. Windy Pozo Izquierdo in the southeast is an ideal windsurf location, annually staging the PWA World Cup tour.
The 400 year-old Las Palmas Carnival is the main event of the island. It attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors during its one-month length, in addition to the 200,000 who join the six-kilometre procession through the city centre.
Other major reasons to serve this airport
- Strong potential to distribute traffic to Africa from a quality European Airport due to its position.
- A major biosphere reserve.
- A total of 365 beach days, sunny all-year long, more than 120 beaches and a great place to practice sports in full nature: trekking, climbing and bike circuits as well as nautical sports, especially sailing, surfing, windsurfing, scuba diving and fishing.
- Facilities for diverse sports such as sailing, golf, diving, etc. Quality destination for nautical tourism as promoted by the Spanish Tourism Institutions.
- Facilities for hosting congress, seminars & similar events.
- This island is called a “Miniature Continent” due to the different climates and variety of landscapes found.
- Fabulous beaches (Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés and Las Canteras), and nature reserves (Tamadaba and Pilancones).
- Aircraft maintenance hangars – a great repair center in Mid-Atlantic region.
- Gran Canaria has become a popular destination for Nordic countries.
- Fun is guaranteed in Gran Canaria. The spring climate that dominates the day and the night and the easygoing character of the “grancanarios” offer a wide and varied night life to the tourist every day of the year.
- The island’s Music Festival is celebrated between January and February.
- Carnivals are the great Canary party, from the middle of February until April.
- Gran Canaria Airport has implemented an Integrated Quality and Environmental Management System, certified according to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 standards.
- Gran Canaria Airport was certified by the Spanish Aviation Agency (AESA), according to EU 139/2014 regulation.
- Information about COVID-19 measures in place can be found at Info COVID-19.
Located right in the city centre, the Santa Catalina cruise terminal of Las Palmas is the most important port for ferries and cruise ships and can berth two large vessels. Gran Canaria Airport attracts many new services each year – but several unserved routes remain in key markets across Europe and further afield.
Marketing and other support
- Operation recovery.
- Seasonality.
- Off-peak days.
- Connecting flights.
- Freight: Exempted of cargo charge from the 5th of July 2014
- Airport charges decrease on average by 2,2% annually until 2021
The conditions of the Aena Incentive scheme are according to the wording included in the legislation in force. For more information, please visit: http://www.aena.es/en/airlines/incentives.html
Aena offers airlines an extensive range of incentives. CLICK TO EXPAND
Aena offers airlines an extensive range of incentives. CLICK TO EXPAND
MARKETING SUPPORT
Aena collaborates on an ongoing basis with airlines on aspects such as organising events relating to first flights, advertising in media belonging to Aena, press releases, publicity on social networks, information to travel agencies associations, etc. All of this is geared towards achieving greater visibility and publicity for the launch of new routes or new bases.
For more information, please visit: http://www.aena.es/en/airlines/airport-marketing.html
Potential cooperation from the Spanish Tourism Board (Tourspain): infosmile@tourspain.es
Market information: statistics & market analysis on request at airlinebox@aena.es
The map shows the population living near Gran Canaria Airport (the green square) and the nearest airports in the area. Geographically located between Europe and Africa, Gran Canaria Airport sees itself as an ideal site for hub operations between the two continents – a claim that is reinforced by its vast UN Humanitarian Response Depots.
Catchment Area
- Within 90 minutes: 846,717 (the whole population of the island).
- 2.1 million people living in Canary Islands.
They grow a lot of fresh produce in the Canary Islands, widely available in supermarkets across Europe and the rest of the world. Airlines considering new routes can expect to factor in the bonus of carrying air freight. Las Palmas port handles 22 million tonnes of freight − another major indicator of air freight potential.
Under-served freight opportunities and other economic impact factors
- For freight opportunities, click here.
- For further information, please contact: cargaaerea@aena.es
- Las Palmas Port is the major ship repair centre in the Mid-Atlantic region, specialists for oil rig repairs (new LPA cargo customer).
- Las Palmas Port is a major base for tourist cruisers, especially in winter. It is highly attractive both as a base port and as a stop-off port, a factor which could help generate traffic for air transport business.
- The Port of Las Palmas is not only the #1 port of the Canary Islands, it is one of the main ports of Spain and the #1 in West Africa.
ATTRACTIVE FISCAL AND ECONOMIC INCENTIVES
The island’s “special status” within the EU permits it to have reduced direct and indirect taxation, as well as various fiscal incentives and economic aid for business investment:
- Reduced Taxation
- Canary Islands Special Zone (ZEC). A low Corporation Tax Zone (4%) that promotes the establishment of new businesses, conditional upon minimum levels of investment and job creation.
- Discount for production of tangible assets. An incentive that offers a 50% reduction on tax liability on profits attributed, to production and industrial activities.
- Canary Islands General Indirect Tax. A tax that is similar to VAT but specific to the Canary Islands and with lower applicable rates. The general rate is 7%.
- Special taxes. The taxes on fuels, alcoholic drinks, and certain types of transport are significantly lower than those in the rest of the EU.
- Gran Canaria Free Zone. A customs-free zone, in which goods can be stored, transformed and distributed for an unlimited period of time without the imposition of tariffs or taxes.
- Fiscal Incentives for Investment
- Canary Islands Investment Reserve (RIC). An incentive that reduces the tax burden on up to 90% of company profit if it is allocated to certain investments linked to the growth of the activity.
- Deduction for investments in Fixed Assets. An incentive that provides a 25% deduction on the taxable amount of investments in fixed assets.
- Greater deductions, related to the Spanish general tax regime, for investments in activities such as R+D+i, vocational training and Information Technologies.
Facilities to welcome you: Gran Canaria Airport never did have to fulfil its role as an emergency landing site for the NASA's space shuttle but, aside from ample runway facilities, its single terminal processes nearly 12m passengers per annum.
Geography
- Gran Canaria Airport is located on the east coast of the island, 18 kilometres from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
Road Access
- Access to the airport from the south of the island and from the capital, via the GC-1 motorway. This road crosses the island of Gran Canaria from north to south and to the east.
Bus Access
- Line 1: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria-Puerto de Mogán.
- Line 5: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria-Faro de Maspalomas.
- Line 11: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria-Agüimes.
- Line 36: Faro de Maspalomas-Telde.
- Line 60: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria-Airport.
- Line 66: Faro de Maspalomas-Airport.
- Line 90: Faro de Maspalomas-Telde.
- Line 91: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria-Playa del Cura.
Infrastructure & Operations
- Runways: Two runways (3,100m, 3,100m).
- Slot Coordinated: Coordinated.
- Operating hours: 24 hours.
- Terminals: One.
- AIP: Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP)
For further information, go to:
- Canary Islands government
- Las Palmas Municipal Tourist Board
- Gran Canaria Island Council Tourist Office
- Tourism in Canary Island
- Tourism in Spain
Vital statistics
2019 figures
- Passengers (commercial): 6.0 millions domestic pax; 7.3 millions international pax.
- Flights: 85% regular; 15% charter.
- Freight: 19,600 tons
- Largest carriers: Binter, Ryanair, Vueling, Norwegian and Iberia Express.
